Courage to Be Courageous

Abigail Batton married a gay man and traveled with him all over the world to serve the poor people in their ministry. When he came out as gay, they had three children and were serving the poor internationally in their church . I wanted to do a podcast with an ex wife, who has gone through the pain and the struggles, and the resentment of being married to a gay man and how she was able to turn her extreme pain into gratitude and forgiveness. Abigail story is powerful and shows the courage she had over a 20 year period to get where she is at today. For the husband's who are in turmoil and have not come out to their wives and wives who are also living in turmoil when they found out their husbands were gay this is a must hear podcast .Abigail makes some incredible comments through the work she has done on herself and becoming best friends with her ex husband, Jeff . She talks about the great life they have together as friends along with their three adult children.

Joan Robinette is an incredible supporter of her son who came out as gay at the age of 15 years. Not only did she support him but she became his ally. She established a website www.societyofluckymothers.org. Joan felt that having a gay son was a gift that needed to be celebrated. This is an outstanding story of having a voice and fighting for LGBTQ +rights. On her website under the "Queer Agenda a Great American Road Trip" she traveled to seven states with her son Drake and her daughter Coco to interview lawmakers and educate these states on LGBTQ + rights and understanding. They received national recognition when Joan put an ad in a Houston, Texas newspaper congratulating her son for coming out as gay. Meredith Vieira is a nationally known host and TV journalist who commented on the article in the newspaper. This is a powerful story.

Christina DaCosta is the Chief Experience Officer for Sage USA . This organization formed in 1978 is dedicated to taking care of the LGBTQ plus community who are of senior age. Based out of New York City, they have expanded to other parts of the United States. Their motto is "We Refuse To Be Invisible ". This is a powerful podcast, and she will outline a number of programs that they have instituted to take care of our seniors to prove that they "Are Not Invisible "Christina will talk about the ways that we can support Sage USA both financially, and in other ways . Their website is www.sageusa.org

Brad Davis is on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Front Runners and Walkers Association. Brad served in the Air Force for five years, active and three years on reserve. He served as a "para rescue". He was what they called a PJ (parachute jumper) Their motto was "That Others May Live". They were Air Force Special Forces . Their job was to save lives on land , sea , and in the air. He came out as gay in his early 20s and showed courage to come out to his family as well. This was the time when if you were gay, you are not allowed to stay in the Air Force. This is a powerful story dedicating his life to help others, and even forgiveness of his mother and taking care of her until she died. He and I discussed what it means to "have a voice" because some of our rights are to sliding away. All of us need a community and a voice, because if we are silent, we are invisible.

Coming out is gay is a major event in one's life and also coming out as gay to your family can be fearful and challenging. You're going to hear an incredible interview from Hilary Taylor when her dad Charlie came out as gay late in life , He was able to use courage to come out to Hilary and her brother. She had an incredible relationship with her dad, her whole life, she was his biggest fan, and he loved her and supported her unconditionally . This is actually a story of unconditional love and unconditional support on both parts that even made their relationship stronger. If you've ever had one of your parents come out as gay, this will be an insightful and powerful story.

Scott Williford has a powerful story ,coming out as gay and developing the importance of "community ". He developed the GLTA, which stands for gay lesbian tennis association which is now active in 70 cities across the United States, and is still growing strong. He also was instrumental in supporting the Diversionary theater on the board for many years, and served as president from 2017- 2022. . Diversionary theater is out of San Diego and is one of the three oldest theaters in the United States for LGBTQ. Not only do they do shows in the theater, but they go out to the schools and bring the theater to them, and also allow them to come in and see productions in the theater. This develops a sense of community for these kids. They also provide some fascinating programs that Scott will share with you that will show the powerfulness and necessity of community. Their website is www.diversionary.org. Please check out the website. You will see some ways that you can provide support to the Diversionary theater and the GLTA.

Check out GLTA: https://glta.net/

This is a dynamic podcast. Greg Harvey had "social anxiety" and was comfortable keeping to himself in his family and in his social community, therefore he didn't have to be noticed. He was able to walk through this fear and have the courage that transform his life. He joined the Front Runners and Walkers International group in Denver Colorado, and started running with them all over the world in Paris, London and Austria as well as many cities in the United States. This organization gave him the opportunity to "come out of his shell " and to grow socially. Presently he serves as the vice president of the Front Runners and Walkers of Phoenix Arizona

Nick was raised in an evangelical religion where his parents were active. Even though he was born a female ,he tried everything to be feminine. He knew he was a male, and suffered gender dysphoria, to where his body totally shut down suffering from Fibromyalgia, and other serious health problems. You will be inspired by the courage that he showed to accept who he was and the impact it had on his life. He has a powerful And tumultuous journey as he came out as transgender.

Jay Warren joined the Peace Corps and then went in the army for 20 years. He met his wife while he was in the army and they married and were together for 32 years. She died of cancer four years ago, and he mourn her loss because of his deep love for her. He was faithful to his wife for 32 years, even though he told her before they got married, he had been with men. He came out to his two boys who supported him 100% as well as his sister that he was close to and she also supported him. In fact his two boys still run with him in the 5k Pride Gay run in San Diego every year and have for 10 years. The biggest fear in coming out was rejection of his friends. Did he get the rejection? The podcast will answer that question.

Tim R joined the Peace Corps when he was a young man and trained with them on the big island of Hawaii. He actually taught in Thailand as English was a foreign language. He loved it so well in Hawaii and loved teaching that he became a teacher, getting his masters' degree and later a PhD in linguistics. He also taught grade school students as well as teachers in linguistics. During this time he buried his sexuality, never coming to grips with being gay. He didn't want to be gay , he didn't want to act like a gay. After he retired, he moved to California in the San Diego area and settled in Hillcrest. Because Hillcrest is predominantly gay, he felt more comfortable. It took him a while to accept who he was, and he was 70 years old when he accepted the fact he was gay. This is a remarkable story to find out where Tim is in his life today.